Illinois · population 2,721,308
Lead pipes in Chicago, IL
360,857 lead or galvanized lines to replace
Most of Chicago (population 2,721,308) gets its water from Chicago. That system reported 350,531 lead and 10,326 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines out of 486,450, with 39,427 more of unknown material.
74% of Chicago's service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement, higher than the Illinois average (17%) and higher than the national average (3.1%).
- Lead 72%
- Galvanized (replace) 2.1%
- Unknown 8.1%
- Non-lead 18%
Latest lead test for Chicago (Jan 2026–Jun 2026): 6.4 ppb at the 90th percentile, against a 15 ppb federal action level. Full test history.
Compliance record: EPA lists 1 Lead and Copper Rule violation since 2015 for Chicago.
Water systems serving Chicago
| Water system | Lead | Galv. | Unknown | % lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ChicagoMain system | 350,531 | 10,326 | 39,427 | 74% |
| CiceroServes nearby areas | 13,037 | 2 | 1,148 | 87% |
Matched from EPA water system service area boundaries and the cities each system reports serving. Edges of the city may be served by a neighboring system; your water bill names your utility.
Replacement program
Free for income-qualified homeowners
Chicago's Equity Lead Service Line Replacement program replaces the line free for income-qualified homeowners. Other owners can use the homeowner-initiated option, which waives city permit fees, but they hire and pay their own contractor.
- Apply at leadsafechicago.org or call 311.
- Ask about the Equity program if your household meets the income limits.
- If you hire your own contractor, ask the city about the permit fee waiver first.
Checked November 2026. Sources: abc7chicago.com, news.wttw.com. Programs and funding change, so confirm with the utility. Programs in other cities.
Check your address in Chicago
The counts above cover the whole water system. To see whether your line is lead, look up your address on Chicago's official inventory. Utilities had to make these public by October 16, 2024.
No map yet? Do the 2-minute scratch and magnet test.
Protect your drinking water
If your line is lead, galvanized or unknown, use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead for drinking, cooking and baby formula, and use only cold water.
Choosing a lead-certified filter · Testing your water · Replacement cost
Nearby cities
- Cicero13,039 lead + galv. lines
- Stickney136 lead + galv. lines
- Berwyn10,828 lead + galv. lines
- Oak Park7,649 lead + galv. lines
- Riverside219 lead + galv. lines
- Forest Park2,548 lead + galv. lines
- Lyons602 lead + galv. lines
- North Riverside1,141 lead + galv. lines
Check another water system
Questions
Does Chicago, IL have lead pipes?
Yes. Chicago, which serves Chicago, reported 350,531 lead and 10,326 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines, plus 39,427 of unknown material.
Who supplies water to Chicago?
EPA's service area maps place most of Chicago in Chicago's service area (PWSID IL0316000). Cicero also serves parts of the city or nearby areas.
How do I check whether my Chicago home has a lead service line?
Search your address on Chicago's service line inventory map. You can also scratch the pipe where water enters your home: lead is soft, dull gray, scratches to shiny silver and doesn't attract a magnet.
When will lead pipes in Chicago be replaced?
EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require most systems to replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037. Ask Chicago whether your street is scheduled and whether it covers the private side.